India's women's cricket team delivered a phenomenal performance against New Zealand, highlighted by stunning centuries from Pratika Rawal and Smriti Mandhana. The match, part of the Women's Cricket World Cup 2025, saw India post a formidable 340-3 from 49 overs.
Rawal's Record-Breaking Innings
Pratika Rawal was the star of the show, top-scoring with a magnificent 122 off 134 balls. Her innings included 13 fours and two towering sixes. This wasn't just any innings; Rawal also equalled the record for the fastest player to reach 1,000 runs in Women’s ODIs, achieving the milestone in just 23 innings! She shares this record with Australia's Lindsay Reeler.
Before Rawal, Deepti Sharma held the record for the fastest Indian to reach 1,000 ODI runs, taking 29 innings. Rawal's achievement is a testament to her incredible talent and consistency.
Mandhana Joins the Century Party
Smriti Mandhana was equally impressive, scoring a blistering 109 off just 95 balls. Her innings featured 10 fours and four sixes, providing the innings with real momentum.
The combined effort of Rawal and Mandhana set the stage for a dominant Indian performance, placing them in a strong position in the World Cup.
- Fastest to 1000 Runs in Women’s ODIs:
- Lindsay Reeler (Australia) – 23 innings
- Pratika Rawal (India) – 23 innings
- Nicole Bolton (Australia) – 25 innings
- Meg Lanning (Australia) – 25 innings
- Belinda Clark (Australia) – 27 innings
- Laura Wolvaardt (South Africa) – 27 innings
With this victory, India's chances of reaching the semifinals have significantly improved. New Zealand, on the other hand, will need to await the results of other group stage matches to determine their fate. This electrifying match underscores the growing excitement and talent within women's cricket globally.